"I should indeed be very much surprised."

"Then it belongs to your first cousin (I learn, by the way, that he is
ill at this time) George Forley."

"Then that is a bad beginning. I cannot deny that George Forley stands
in the relation of first cousin to me; but I hold no communication with
him. George Forley has been a hard, bitter, stony father to a child now
dead. George Forley was most implacable and unrelenting to one of his
two daughters who made a poor marriage. George Forley brought all the
weight of his band to bear as heavily against that crushed thing, as he
brought it to bear lightly, favouringly, and advantageously upon her
sister, who made a rich marriage. I hope that, with the measure George
Forley meted, it may not be measured out to him again. I will give
George Forley no worse wish."

I was strong upon the subject, and I could not keep the tears out of my
eyes; for, that young girl's was a cruel story, and I had dropped many a
tear over it before.

"The house being George Forley's," said I, "is almost enough to account
for there being a Fate upon it, if Fate there is. Is there anything
about George Forley in those sheets of paper?"

"Not a word."

"I am glad to hear it. Please to read on. Trottle, why don't you come
nearer? Why do you sit mortifying yourself in those arctic regions? Come
nearer."